Government Affairs

Land use Reform and RPAC Major Investors

By: Max Brandow, RASM Vice President of Advocacy and Member Programs

Land use and development regulations in Sarasota may soon change as the need for more “middle-priced” housing continues to rise in urban areas.

SARASOTA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: KEY TO HOUSING PROGRESS

The city of Sarasota Commission is currently deliberating on an updated comprehensive land use plan that will dictate land use and development for the foreseeable future. Business and trade groups throughout the city have championed this plan to incentivize much-needed housing construction in the city.

Currently, property owners are not allowed to build many types of projects due to housing and density limits in the city code. The current code only makes it feasible to build luxury units or luxury singlefamily homes; that is why we have a “missing middle” in our housing stock in Sarasota. Fortunately, that’s what this updated plan attempts to address. This plan will allow density where it makes sense, along our commercial corridors and urban centers in Sarasota.

Unfortunately, this change is not welcomed by all. Anti-housing and anti-growth interests are wellorganized, and are looking to stop progress in its tracks by keeping housing construction illegal in many parts of the City. But, as the REALTOR® Association, we will always advocate for private property rights and smart growth, and that is what this plan represents.

RASM is asking all of our members to advocate for this plan and let our commissioners know we support this comprehensive land use plan. We can’t let anti-growth and anti-housing sentiments dominate the conversation. Please email the commissioners to make your voice heard and to support this pro-housing effort: Erik.Arroyo@sarasotafl.gov, Kyle.Battie@ sarasotafl.gov, Jen.Ahearn-Koch@sarasotafl.gov, Liz. Alpert@sarasotafl.gov, and Hagen.Brody@sarasotafl. gov.

RPAC DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING – INVESTMENTS DUE IN NOVEMBER!

It’s that time of the year again, and our RPAC fiscal year is almost over. RASM has had a fantastic year of RPAC fundraising thanks to our determined Chair and Vice-Chair, Amy Worth and Denise Oyler. This year we focused our efforts on Major Investors (those who invested $1,000 or more in RPAC), and we are happy to announce we have exceeded our Major Investor goal for the year!

This is just a friendly reminder that for any Major Investors or Standard Investors ($20 invested in RPAC), the deadline to complete those investments is this November.

RPAC is an essential part of our advocacy work as a professional trade association. RPAC funds are frequently used in key issue campaigns, much like we did with the Sarasota County Surtax campaign, the Manatee County conservation campaign, school funding referendums, and much more. RPAC funds are also used to support Realtor®-friendly candidates during election season.

Many of the pro-Realtor® policies that get passed every year at the national, state, and local level are thanks to the Realtor® champion candidates that we support with RPAC funds. If you have any questions about RPAC, always feel free to contact me, and we can discuss: Max Brandow, 941-952-3410, or email me at Maxwell@myrasm.com. •